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I'm the original owner of a 2003 Toyota Sequoia. I've had the transmission flushed every 30,000 miles for a total of 8 flushes to date. I haven't had any transmission issues whatsoever.
We're in Arizona so condition "dusty" may apply sometimes but not usual. That's the thing - it's so vague. What does "dusty" mean... doing dirt roads every day or our occasional dust storm? Anyways, I feel it's now too late to start changing the tranny fluid for the first time at 143k miles. Better hope and pray and keep it in. Or?
I changed the trans fluid in my Five Hundred for the first time at 145k. I was under the mistaken belief it was designed to last that long, and I consider myself lucky that it did. It has been about 6 months and it is still behaving fine. It isn't an expensive service - less than $100 at my mechanic and it took no longer than your typical oil change.
We have had a lot of cars that had transmission failure and a lot that have gotten 150,000 - 200,000 miles. However most beaters die due to transmission failure (except manual transmissions, they rarely fail). We have only had one two that had engine failure. a few had so many little problems it just was no longer worth repairing it anymore (my son's current Countour SVT is going to the scrapyard because it has a bad alternator. Coupled with all the other little problems, it just does no make sense to repair it any further).
Our series of Dodge/Chrysler minivans all had transmission failure at 70K to 110K miles. One failed at 77K and again at 110 (at which time we junked it). that is the only thing that seems to be consistent.
Knock on wood but I have a 2000 Camry with 237k miles and have never did any service on the trans. The only bad auto trans that I can remember is long ago when my brother's '88 Accord had to be rebuilt around 150k. I have a '10 Prius with 120k and the CVT seems to work as it always has.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
44,165 posts, read 80,309,828 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by asubram3
Once a transmission starts going out, what's the best option? Get a new one installed, or rebuild it? What is meant by a transmission rebuild anyway?
It depends. It can be cheaper to replace with a used one from the wrecker, but the condition is unknown. New is the most expensive, rebuilding in between. It will be removed, drained and taken apart on the bench. Any broken parts will be replaced, along with any that are worn out. The electronic components are tested, replaced if needed. All of the bits of metal, shavings or metal dust have to be cleaned out thoroughly, then it's reassembled, installed and filled with fluid. All of the parts and that labor is usually still less than buying new and paying to have it installed, but there could be damage that prevents it from being rebuilt.
Location: Butler County Ohio and Winters in Florida
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Our 05 GCV did have transmission failure at 194k. I did change the fluid every 30k since new , and trans filter every 60k .
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